Improvements counter-stiffeners for boots and shoes



W. H. RICHARDSON. Counter-stiffener forBoots and Shoes.

Patented Jan. 22, I878.

FIG-.6

WITNESSES.

N.PETEHS, PNOTO-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. .D, 0.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIoE.

WILLIAM H. RICHARDSON, OF SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT INCOUNTER- STIFFENERS FOR BOOTS AND SHOES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 199, 574, dated January22, 1878; application filed October 24, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. RICHARD- soN, of Salem, in the county ofEssex and State of Massachusetts, have invented acertain new and usefulImproved Counter or Heel Stifiener, of which thefollowing is a to fitboth the heel portion and the portion of the upper which is just back ofthe ankle of the wearer, but will separate at their unattached upperportions, in order to allow either free backward or lateral movement ofthe ankle, all substantially as hereinafter described, whereby the ankleof the wearer and the boot are the better supported against turningover, while at the same time there is no restraint of the desiredmovement of the foot in walking, it being specially effective in theserespects for children while learning to walk, or where the wearersankles are weak.

In the accompanying plate of drawings, Figure l is a View of a blankfrom which is made one side of my improved counter-stiffener.stifl'ener; Fig.- 3, a front view of the counterstiffener; and Fig. 4, asection on line was,

Fig. 3.

111 the drawings, Arepresents my improved counter. Thiscounter-stiffener is made of two similar parts, a a, of leather or othersuitable material, which are sewed or otherwise secured together, as atb.

The parts a a are cut fiom a flat piece of leather, and at their edges 0c, which are sewed together, they have a curvilinear form from end toend corresponding to the central vertical line of curve of the foot atthe back of the heel from the sole up to a point back of the ankle, andat their opposite edges d cl also a curvilinear form, which is such asto give the greatest width to each part a at its lower end e, and thesmallest width at the upper ends f of the said parts, which at said endsare not Fig. 2 is a side view of the counter attached together, so thatwhile giving lateral support these ends will separate 'to allow theankle to have a natural and easy movement.

The lower or larger end 0 of the counter A is the end which is at thelower edge of the heel portion of the boot-upper when thecounter-stiffener is secured therein. v

The counter-stiffener formed of the parts a a, shaped and stitchedtogether as described, is placed in the boot, as described, and theresecured by their lower edges, only the curved edges 01 being left freeto change position with the movements of the ankle.

A counter-stiffener such as above described obviously gives such anincreased support to the ankle of the wearer as to prevent, in a greatmeasure, the liability of the turning of the ankle and the boot inwalking; and it is more especially efiective in its support of childrensankles, and of weak ankles generally.

Stiffenings have heretofore been placed in the heels of boots and shoes;but they have been intended only to protect the counters from beingbroken down, and were continuous throughout their'top edges, while mystiffener, at its rear portion, is left open for a short distance, as itallows freer play of the foot in its movements -while walking, &c.,without detracting materially from the efficiency of the counter as asupport to the ankle. The fastening of it into the boot is by stitchingor otherwise securing it in place at its lower edge, as ordinarily.

counter-stiffener takes the place of the ordinary stiifener employed inshoes, &c.

Having now described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, 1s-

The heel-stiffener herein (lBSGI'lllGCL CODSlSU- ing of the parts a a,having curved front and rear edges 0 d, said rear edges being attachedtogether for the greater portion of their length, but having theirupward-projecting portions f f unattached and separated, substantiallyas and for the purpose set forth.

WM. H. RICHARDSON.

Witnesses:

EDWIN W. BROWN, GEO. H. EARL.

I would here remark my improved

